Outdoor Mass attracts over 1000 Cantabrians

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 7

Outdoor Mass attracts over 1000 Cantabrians

More than 1000 Canterbury Catholics took part in a special outdoor celebration of Mass yesterday to mark the end of their diocesan centennial year.

The sunny weather contributed to an almost picnic atmosphere at the Cathedral College grounds. Both the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt Rev. Basil Meeking, and the director of Catholic Communications, the Rev. Ray Schmack, said they were pleased with the large attendance. However, there was some suggestion that

younger parishioners may have been drawn to the Christmas parade instead. Bishop Meeking was the celebrant at the Mass. He said that although he was not appointed as Bishop until after the centennial year had begun, he was very impressed with the way celebration events had been organised. A pictorial exhibition of diocesan history made by 50 parishes throughout the

South Island and the Chatham Islands has been open to the public Since last Wednesday. The Bishop said it was a very important part of the centennial. Many of those taking part in the Mass took a stroll through the college grounds to look at the exhibition in the cathedral. About 60 priests attended yesterday’s celebrations, and scripture

readings were given by the member of Parliament for Yaldhurst, Mrs Margaret Austin, and a High Court judge, Mr Justice N. Williamson. At the end of the Mass, Bishop Meeking blessed a time capsule filled with coins, liturgies and a history of events, which is to be placed in the wall of a memorial chapel inside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Schmack said centennial celebrations had been successful and exceeded all expectations. "It has been very well worth it. I do not think there would be a Catholic in the diocese who is not aware it was our centenary. Many people have been involved both in organising and worshipping.”